PA Transition Tidbits

Governor Josh Shapiro has officially proclaimed March 2025 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. This declaration highlights the state's commitment to promoting inclusion, advocating for the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities, and recognizing their valuable contributions to communities. This month will be dedicated to raising awareness, fostering understanding, and encouraging initiatives that support accessibility, independence, and opportunities for all.

On January 16, 2025, The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) released new guidance on transition resources and postsecondary opportunity requirements under IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act. This guidance aims to assist State and local educational agencies, as well as State vocational rehabilitation agencies, in coordinating efforts to support students with disabilities transitioning from high school to postsecondary life.

Pennsylvania offers Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers to support individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) and autism in living independently and participating fully in their communities. These waivers, administered by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), include the Consolidated Waiver, Community Living Waiver, and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) Waiver, as well as the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) specifically for individuals with autism. Each waiver provides funding for services such as employment support, respite care, assistive technology, community integration, and transition services. Eligibility is based on functional and financial criteria, and families work with their county's Intellectual Disability/Autism (ID/A) program or Administrative Entity (AE) to determine eligibility and access these services. The goal of these waivers is to enhance quality of life by promoting independence, community participation, and self-direction for individuals with disabilities.

1. Contact the County's Intellectual Disability/Autism (ID/A) Program Office

Each county in Pennsylvania has a designated Administrative Entity (AE) or county office that oversees waiver services for individuals with IDD and autism.

• What families should do:
  • Call their local AE or county office and request an intake appointment to begin the eligibility process for services.
  • Learn about the specific waivers available (e.g., Consolidated, Community Living, or P/FDS waivers).
  • Ask for guidance on completing the application process.
• Where to find this information:
• Use the Pennsylvania County Contact Directory: PA DHS County Programs

2. Reach Out to the PA Office of Developmental Programs (ODP)

• The ODP oversees waiver services and provides comprehensive guidance to families.

  • What families should do:
    • Visit ODP's website for information about the eligibility process and the services covered under each waiver.
    • Review ODP’s resources, such as their Waiver Basics documents and the Supports Coordination services available for families.

3. Work with a Supports Coordinator

• Supports Coordinators (SCs) are assigned to families to help them navigate the waiver application process and access available services.

  • What families should do:
  • Request a Supports Coordinator through their county's ID/A program.
  • Use the SC as a guide to understand waiver options, application timelines, and required documentation.

4. Attend Trainings on Waivers and/or Explore Resources

• Disability Rights Pennsylvania's Guide on Medicaid Waivers:

  • This comprehensive guide provides detailed information on the various waivers available, eligibility criteria, and the application process.
  • Access the guide here: Medicaid Waivers for People with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism

• ASERT's Overview of Medicaid Waivers:

  • ASERT offers an overview of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers in Pennsylvania, detailing how these waivers can assist individuals with autism.
  • Explore the resource here: Medicaid Waivers for Individuals with Autism

• Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) - Adult Autism Waiver Information:

  • The DHS provides specific information about the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW), including eligibility requirements and services offered.
  • Learn more here: Adult Autism Waiver (AAW)

5. Join Parent Advocacy and Support Organizations

Organizations like the PEAL Center and The Arc of Pennsylvania provide direct support to families navigating waiver programs.

• What families should do:
  • Contact these organizations for individual consultations or to join workshops about understanding and applying for waivers.
  • Access parent advocacy support to assist with eligibility challenges or appeals.
• Websites:
  • PEAL Center
  • The Arc of Pennsylvania

Since March is Developmental Disabilities awareness month, let’s take a moment to celebrate the amazing achievements of people in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) community! Finding good representation in pop culture can be tough, but one awesome example is Madison Tevlin! She’s a very talented Canadian actor who first went viral back in 2015 for her cover of John Legend’s “All of Me.” In 2022, Madison became the host of CBC’s show “Who do you think I am?” where she interviewed folks who are often misperceived because of their physical appearance. In an interview for the show Madison said, “People may think that we can't do lots of things and assume things about us that [are] not always true…that we can't walk, we can't sing, can't dance, can't live on our own and can't do all these things. But actually, I'm proving everyone wrong." In a different interview talking about her role as host Madison said, “Just because I have Down syndrome, and someone else could be totally different, we all can feel the same way. It’s really interesting and cool to see all the different sides of different people and what they’re about.”

Madison Tevlin was named to the BBC’s top 100 Women in 2024. For World Down Syndrome Day in 2024, Madison acted in a short video about how assumptions become reality for people with IDDs. When we assume that folks can, we open doors of possibility. Pop culture and social media have become the prime mode of connection for many Americans. With this in mind let’s take this month to reflect on how we as educators can use these platforms as tools to spread awareness about disabilities and the importance of disability awareness in our communities!

The HCSIS Services and Supports Directory is a tool for individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism (ID/A), their families, and circle of support to locate services and service providers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The directory can help you locate particular service providers or search for services and supports provided in an individual's community. This directory does not include information on all providers but only of those that have chosen to be listed in it. This directory also provides information about specific services funded by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) under the home and community-based waiver programs.

For more information about the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), you can visit their official website at the following link: ODP Website.

Centers for Independent Living provide advocacy, life skills training, and support for individuals with disabilities transitioning to independence.

To find a CIL in your area, use the directory.

The PA DLM Instruction and Assessment Resources Padlet is now available. The Padlet includes key instructional and assessment resources and replaces the PA DLM Instruction and Assessment Hub. This is a great resource for teachers, administrators and families.

Looking for a place where you can Connect, Collect, & Contribute

to all things secondary transition?

Connect with people from across our state to collect

resources, share events and contribute stories about positive post-school outcomes!

Click here to create an account and login to join our PA Secondary Transition- Public Square.

ODP supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including waiver programs like Consolidated, Community Living, and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) waiver.

To learn more, visit the ODP website or watch the video linked below.

ASERT provides autism-specific resources, training, and family-friendly tools for transition planning.

Checkout the ASERT website for more information.

"The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council is a group of people with disabilities, family members, advocates, and state department representatives who work to create favorable conditions for people with developmental disabilities and their families in the Commonwealth

The Council Makes a Better Future by:

• Funding short-term projects that show new and innovative ways for people with disabilities to participate as respected and valued members of our communities.
• Encouraging change in communities that embraces the diversity of the disability experience and confronts the stigma encountered by citizens with disabilities.
• Advocating for improved public policies and services so that people with developmental disabilities may benefit from the opportunities and resources available to all other citizens and community members.
• Empowering people with disabilities and their families to have a strong voice on matters in Pennsylvania which affect their lives."

Visit the PADDC website to learn more.

The Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) program is seeking middle and high school teachers of students with significant cognitive disabilities to participate in a Needs Assessment Survey on current practices and needs for teaching academics related to postsecondary opportunities. If you are a current teacher with knowledge of the DLM Essential Elements, career planning, and instruction who would like to take the survey, please select the link below. Responses will be accepted through 3/6/2025.

Survey link

Are you looking to learn more information about transition?

The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C) provides information, tools, and supports to assist multiple stakeholders to provide effective services and instruction for students and out-of-school youth with disabilities.

Check out their Training Resource Library.

If you're new to transition, be sure to check out Transition 101!

Join us for the Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference, where educators, community partners, families, and youth come together to learn evidence based practices and tools that bridge the gap between knowledge and practice!

📅 Dates: July 28-31, 2025

📍 Location: State College, PA

🌟 Dive into sessions focused on:
🔹 Autism
🔹 Sensory Disabilities
🔹 Secondary Transition
🔹 Complex Instructional Needs

🔗 For more information check out our pattanpod: Watch/YouTube- https://bit.ly/4gcInXY Listen/Podcast- https://bit.ly/42pApar

Learn about the PA ABLE Savings Program!

A PA ABLE Savings Program account gives individuals with qualified disabilities and their families and friends a tax-free way to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses, while maintaining important benefits.

Connecting PA ABLE and Work Incentives for People with Disabilities

Experts will explain the PA ABLE Savings Program and Pennsylvania's Work Incentive Programs.

The PA ABLE Savings Program gives individuals with qualified disabilities a tax-free way to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses while maintaining important benefits.

Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA), often referred to as benefits counseling, is an essential service to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities who receive SSA benefits. This webinar will offer an overview of WIPA's individualized work incentives planning, which can assist individuals to make informed choices about work.

If you require accommodations to participate in this webinar, please contact PA ABLE at info@paable.gov.

March 11, 2025

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Register

PA ABLE and Social Security Disability Programs

Experts will discuss how PA ABLE Savings Program and Social Security Disability Programs work together. You’ll hear from Diana Fishlock, outreach specialist for the PA ABLE Savings Program, and Frank Magni, Social Security Administration public affairs specialist.

The PA ABLE Savings Program gives individuals with qualified disabilities a way to save for disability-related expenses while maintaining important benefits and supporting health, independence, and quality of life. The Social Security Administration’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to adults and children who meet requirements for a qualifying disability and have limited income and resources.

The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program pays benefits to individuals and certain family members if the individual is “insured.” While these two programs are different, the medical requirements are the same. Traditionally people receiving such benefits could only save a small amount, but ABLE accounts change the landscape, allowing people receiving these benefits to save for a house, a car, and other everyday expenses.

If you require accommodations to participate in this webinar, please contact PA ABLE at info@paable.gov.

Wednesday, April 16, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Register

Are you looking for transition events across PA?

Don't forget to check the events calendar to stay up to date on all of the great events happening in PA and nationally related to secondary transition!

The Pennsylvania Community on Transition is a group of various stakeholders from across Pennsylvania who work collaboratively to ensure appropriate transition outcomes for Pennsylvania youth and young adults.

The Pennsylvania Community on Transition is a state leadership team consisting of representative from: the State Departments of Education, Health, Labor and Industry, and Human Services; Various Serving Agencies, Young Adults, Parent Organizations, Advocates, Higher Education, and Employers.

The shared vision and common goals of the Pennsylvania Community on Transition is achieved when all PA youth and young adults with disabilities:

• Successfully transition to the role of productive and participating adult citizens
• Are empowered to recognize their talents, strengths, and voice
• Have equal access to resources that will promote their full participation in the communities of their choice.

Email: pasecondarytransition@gmail.com
Website: https://www.pasecondarytransition.com/
Phone: 4128266878
Twitter: @hmangiskuntz